Louis XI of France
King of France who weakened the great feudal principalities and strengthened royal authority. His rivalry with Charles the Bold proved decisive in the acquisition of much of the Burgundian inheritance.
Life of Louis XI of France
A rebellious dauphin
The son of Charles VII and Marie of Anjou, Louis was born at Bourges in 1423. He took part in the noble revolt known as the Praguerie (1440) against his father and governed the Dauphiné as a state of his own. In 1456 he fled to the court of Philip the Good of Burgundy, where he lived until succeeding his father in 1461.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
The League of the Public Weal
His first measures against the great nobility provoked the League of the Public Weal (1465), led by Charles of Charolais, the future Charles the Bold. After the indecisive Battle of Montlhéry, Louis ceded territories and subsequently used negotiation, bribery and division among his opponents. At Péronne in 1468 he was detained by the Duke of Burgundy.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
The fall of Burgundy
He financed the Swiss and Lorraine against Charles the Bold, who died outside Nancy in 1477. Louis occupied the Duchy of Burgundy and Picardy. Under the Treaty of Arras (1482), he also obtained the County of Burgundy and Artois as the dowry of Margaret of Austria, daughter of Maximilian of Habsburg, who was betrothed to the Dauphin Charles.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
An enlarged kingdom
He inherited Anjou, Maine and Provence on the deaths of René of Anjou and his nephew Charles in 1480–1481. He strengthened the treasury, the royal postal service and the standing army. He died at Plessis-lès-Tours in 1483; his daughter Anne of Beaujeu governed during the minority of Charles VIII.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 3 July 1423 Documented
Death: 30 August 1483 Documented
Role: King of France
Other recorded names: the Universal Spider
Dynasty: Valois · ES
Territories: France (ES)
Recorded relationships
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Ludwig XI., Frankreich, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
3 July 1423
The authority record gives the birth as 1423-07-03. - DeathDocumented
30 August 1483
The authority record gives the death as 1483-08-30.
Family and relationships (3/4 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Charles VII of France
The authority record identifies Charles VII of France (GND 100736416) as father. - MotherDocumented
Marie of Anjou
The authority record identifies Marie of Anjou (GND 1012140865) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipPending review
Margaret of Scotland
A precise source has not yet been added. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Charlotte of Savoy
The authority record identifies Charlotte of Savoy (GND 1102373680) as spouse.
Governments (0/1 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1461–1483
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
Follow this person through history
More paths from Louis XI of France
Family
Charles VII of France · ESKing1403 – 1461Marie of Anjou · ESConsort1404 – 1463Margaret of Scotland · ESConsort1424 – 1445Charlotte of Savoy · ESConsort / Regent1441 – 1483Anne of France · ESNoble / Regent1461 – 1522Joan of France · ESConsort1464 – 1505
